Norwalk Community Schools is continuing early planning for a bond referendum expected to go before voters in 2027, with a new transportation building identified as one of the district’s most immediate facility needs.

Norwalk Schools superintendent Shawn Holloway tells KNIA News the district’s current transportation setup is tied to a long-standing lease with the City of Norwalk that is nearing its end.

“For our transportation building, I think the key piece that we want our general public to understand is we’re currently renting space from the city of Norwalk. So we rent space from them in the Public Works building, and that rental agreements been in place for a long time, but that lease comes up in 2029, and the city of Norwalk is also growing, right? They’ve been really good to us, but it’s come time where we need to go out and buy land, which we’ve done.”

Holloway says the district is in the final stages of securing land for the transportation facility and has approved architectural services to begin conceptual design work. That building would be the first project completed if voters approve the bond.

He adds that the transportation facility is part of a larger bond proposal that would also include construction of a new elementary school, along with facility improvements such as athletic upgrades, HVAC work, and safety and security enhancements across district buildings. District leaders say the early planning process is intended to clearly communicate the need and scope of the bond well ahead of the 2027 vote.

The full interview with Norwalk Schools superintendent Shawn Holloway can be heard below: